Our Past Is Present July 11, 2018

July 11, 2018

            You are reading “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Our Executive Director, Katie Goerl, wrote an article for the “Daily Union” newspaper in 2017 about the Pawnee Nation.  Today’s story is taken from that article.  Katie wrote:

            “The Pawnee Nation once inhabited a large area in central and northern Kansas and throughout Nebraska.  At one time, according to the Pawnee Nation, more than 60,000 members of the tribe lived along the Northern Platte River in Nebraska.  After white settlers began to encroach upon their territory, the Pawnee tribe – which consisted of four distinct bands of members, ceded their land to the United States government and was removed to Oklahoma in 1875 in what is now known as Pawnee County.  Before 1875, several members of the Pawnee Nation visited A.P. Trott’s photography gallery to have their photos taken.  He later printed carte-de-visites of these individuals, which were sold as post cards.

            In the 1920’s, local residents erected an Indian monument near “J Hill”.  The statue depicts “an Indian lookout or scout of the Black Pawnees”, according to a 2002 “Daily Union” article.  The author indicated that the statue was erected May 30, 1920 by Robert and James Henderson.  This monument was placed above the site of a shallow limestone grave containing bones, arrowheads, beads and other remains.

            The Pawnee Nation is still thriving today and the following information comes from the website, PawneeNation.org: “In support of American’s freedoms, the Pawnee have served in all military conflicts to date beginning with the Pawnee Scouts that served during the Indian Wars.  A ceremony was held on October 15, 2011 to honor the decision of the Bravo/Pawnee Company 486^th Civil Affairs Battalion of the United States Army to alter their name to reflect this distinguished Pawnee tradition.

            The Pawnee Nation supports many other activities including honor dances, Native American Church meetings, hand games and sporting events.  The Pawnee Indian Veterans also host a Memorial Day Dance, a Veterans Day Dance and a Christmas Day Dance.  The Pawnee Indian Veterans Homecoming and Powwow occurs the weekend that falls closest to the fourth of July. 

            And.. that’s today’s story on “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.